Steelers WR Mike Wallace deserves Larry Fitzgerald money

[Slapstick]

I don't think it will be smart for Wallace to play without a long term deal. Considering his speed is his best asset, one serious injury and his value will drop. Kind of like other player's value dropped because they suffered serious injuries. Wallace could go from a muliti-million dollar talent to just another guy in the league.

I don't think the tactic you suggests sets a good precedent for an organization.

Why not?

The Steelers are well within the boundaries of the CBA to keep Wallace at his RFA tender and then Franchise Tag him in the following years...

It would not be a good tactic for Wallace to do this, because he could sign a deal that would net him millions more than that option...albeit, not at a contract level that he is reportedly seeking...

What would be in Wallace's best interest, IMO, is to sign a three-year deal that would net him more than the value of the RFA tender and two Franchise Tags...

He would make more money than he would under the current circumstances and would be entering the prime of his career (age 2 when the three-year deal expires...it would also give the Steelers options under the salary cap...

And, if the Steelers cut him before the final year, then he is an unrestricted free agent at age 27 instead of age 28...

[Oviedo]

Why not?

The Steelers are well within the boundaries of the CBA to keep Wallace at his RFA tender and then Franchise Tag him in the following years...

It would not be a good tactic for Wallace to do this, because he could sign a deal that would net him millions more than that option...albeit, not at a contract level that he is reportedly seeking...

What would be in Wallace's best interest, IMO, is to sign a three-year deal that would net him more than the value of the RFA tender and two Franchise Tags...

He would make more money than he would under the current circumstances and would be entering the prime of his career (age 2 when the three-year deal expires...it would also give the Steelers options under the salary cap...

And, if the Steelers cut him before the final year, then he is an unrestricted free agent at age 27 instead of age 28...

I totally agree with Slappy. The only person using bad tactics is Wallace. He needs to sign as soon as possible. He will be offered enough to make him wealthy for the rest of his life because the Steelers don't treat their players bad.

However, if Wallace is really trying to get a Top 5 salary even though that would screw up the cap for the team then the Steelers should play hardball as hard as they can. That is exactly the precedent they should want to set--"When we make you a good offer you better accept it instead of trying to be on a list of top salaries." Ask Jeff Reed and many other how it worked for them balking at reasonable offers.

[BURGH86STEEL]

Why not?

The Steelers are well within the boundaries of the CBA to keep Wallace at his RFA tender and then Franchise Tag him in the following years...

It would not be a good tactic for Wallace to do this, because he could sign a deal that would net him millions more than that option...albeit, not at a contract level that he is reportedly seeking...

What would be in Wallace's best interest, IMO, is to sign a three-year deal that would net him more than the value of the RFA tender and two Franchise Tags...

He would make more money than he would under the current circumstances and would be entering the prime of his career (age 2 when the three-year deal expires...it would also give the Steelers options under the salary cap...

And, if the Steelers cut him before the final year, then he is an unrestricted free agent at age 27 instead of age 28...

Steelers were within their boundaries. Being within boundaries doesn't mean it's fair or that someone needs to agree with the circumstances. Especially when a person's livelihood is at stake. I suspect that most players don't like tenders and franchise tags. Why would any player like tenders and tags when they reduce the amount of money a player can earn? RFA tenders and tags may eventually disappear some day.

I believe players take notice how organizations treat players. Fans certainly take notice how other organizations treat players. One big difference is the players have to live it. If the Steelers do what was suggested, I believe it would set a bad precedent for the organization.

How can we know he could sign a deal that would net him the value of his RFA tender and two franchise tags? We don't know what the Steelers offered. It's not out of the realm of possibility that Wallace could get a contract in which he is seeking as a free agent. The sticking point in contract negotiations will probably the length of the contact and signing bonus/guaranteed money.

I am looking at this situation as if I were Wallace. Playing for the tender or franchise tags wouldn't be in my best interest. Signing a long term deal with a lot of guaranteed money would be in my best interest. I would hold out until I received credit for the entire season to become a FA, ala Vincent Jackson. People wouldn't agree but I would be my boundaries to do so.

[Slapstick]

Steelers were within their boundaries. Being within boundaries doesn't mean it's fair or that someone needs to agree with the circumstances. Especially when a person's livelihood is at stake. I suspect that most players don't like tenders and franchise tags. Why would any player like tenders and tags when they reduce the amount of money a player can earn? RFA tenders and tags may eventually disappear some day.

I believe players take notice how organizations treat players. Fans certainly take notice how other organizations treat players. One big difference is the players have to live it. If the Steelers do what was suggested, I believe it would set a bad precedent for the organization.

How can we know he could sign a deal that would net him the value of his RFA tender and two franchise tags? We don't know what the Steelers offered. It's not out of the realm of possibility that Wallace could get a contract in which he is seeking as a free agent. The sticking point in contract negotiations will probably the length of the contact and signing bonus/guaranteed money.

I am looking at this situation as if I were Wallace. Playing for the tender or franchise tags wouldn't be in my best interest. Signing a long term deal with a lot of guaranteed money would be in my best interest. I would hold out until I received credit for the entire season to become a FA, ala Vincent Jackson. People wouldn't agree but I would be my boundaries to do so.

I'm not saying that Wallace isn't within his rights...

I was merely spelling out what I believe to be his best possible scenario in regards to his prospects over the next three years....

Perhaps the tenders and tags will go away some day, but not for the next ten seasons as the players themselves agreed to them in the latest CBA...

I just don't believe that the Steelers will back down...

[Oviedo]

Steelers were within their boundaries. Being within boundaries doesn't mean it's fair or that someone needs to agree with the circumstances. Especially when a person's livelihood is at stake. I suspect that most players don't like tenders and franchise tags. Why would any player like tenders and tags when they reduce the amount of money a player can earn? RFA tenders and tags may eventually disappear some day.

I believe players take notice how organizations treat players. Fans certainly take notice how other organizations treat players. One big difference is the players have to live it. If the Steelers do what was suggested, I believe it would set a bad precedent for the organization.

How can we know he could sign a deal that would net him the value of his RFA tender and two franchise tags? We don't know what the Steelers offered. It's not out of the realm of possibility that Wallace could get a contract in which he is seeking as a free agent. The sticking point in contract negotiations will probably the length of the contact and signing bonus/guaranteed money.

I am looking at this situation as if I were Wallace. Playing for the tender or franchise tags wouldn't be in my best interest. Signing a long term deal with a lot of guaranteed money would be in my best interest. I would hold out until I received credit for the entire season to become a FA, ala Vincent Jackson. People wouldn't agree but I would be my boundaries to do so.

You would be within your rights to holdout like Vincent Jackson and I as management of the Steelers would be within my rights to use every tool given me to do what is best for the team not just one player.

I wouldn't care less about public relations with what players across the league may think because all they have to do is to look at how well the organization has taken care of their players through the years.

Wallace is a problem with regards to a long term contract because he has one elite skill as a WR and that is speed. One injury or even the normal effects of age and wear and tear in the NFL could take that away and the organization would be stuck with a bad contract. If Wallace had shown other elite WR skills like being able to fight through coverage to get balls or being able to go high then it is easier to give him a big contract but he doesn't have that.

So for the good of the total team and maintain a reasonable cap which we have issues with already I have no issue tagging Wallace this year and next. Like I said before Wallace can make himself enough money to be comfortable for the rest of his life. he just needs to accept a reasonable offer and not compare his checkbook to another WRs.

By the way, let's agree not to use the word "fair" when talking about paying guys to play a game. The whole notion of their salaries being "fair" in the larger context of society is laughable.

[feltdizz]

By the way, let's agree not to use the word "fair" when talking about paying guys to play a game. The whole notion of their salaries being "fair" in the larger context of society is laughable.

when billions are being generated it's much more than a game.

[NorthCoast]

which reminds me, who is that last player you think the Steelers overpaid for (based on productivity after signing)?

[hawaiiansteel]

which reminds me, who is that last player you think the Steelers overpaid for (based on productivity after signing)?

Chris Kemoeatu immediately comes to mind...

[ikestops85]

Chris Kemoeatu immediately comes to mind...

Willie Colon directly follows

[grotonsteel]

which reminds me, who is that last player you think the Steelers overpaid for (based on productivity after signing)?

How about Lamar Woodley? I know he was injured but he is richest Steeler player and whenever he played he struggled.

[Jooser]

How about Lamar Woodley? I know he was injured but he is richest Steeler player and whenever he played he struggled.

NOPE. sorry.

[Oviedo]

How about Lamar Woodley? I know he was injured but he is richest Steeler player and whenever he played he struggled.

I'm sure that is really Timmons' fault because he is a "bust" and "soft agaunst the run."

[grotonsteel]

I'm sure that is really Timmons' fault because he is a "bust" and "soft agaunst the run."

I think Timmons is judged by different standards because he was taken at 1.15. I think Timmons should have been in Pro-Bowl in 2010 and in 2011 he was moved all over the place because of injuries to other LB corp. Timmons played well last season. He was not a pro-bowl player last season but can't blame him. He was the best LB Steelers had. I think spence and Timmons could become explosive dynamic LB pair on 3rd down this year.

[Oviedo]

I think Timmons is judged by different standards because he was taken at 1.15. I think Timmons should have been in Pro-Bowl in 2010 and in 2011 he was moved all over the place because of injuries to other LB corp. Timmons played well last season. He was not a pro-bowl player last season but can't blame him. He was the best LB Steelers had. I think spence and Timmons could become explosive dynamic LB pair on 3rd down this year.

I agree. Timmons will never get the credit he deserves.

[Oviedo]

I wonder if Walace has noticed what Sidney Crosby just did. Essentially took no pay raise in order to help the team and keep them healthy under the salary cap so that the flexibility to make the team better is there. A very different attitude than looking at the top salary and wanting to be at that number just because.

If Wallace drags this out he will have a serious public relations issues with the fans in Pittsburgh especially when we all know what a class act gesture Crosby just did.